Activity: Uncovering Personal Assets Worksheet

Instructions

This is a multi-page guide to help you explore your personal assets. You can navigate through the pages using the Table of Contents on the right of your screen (you may need to scroll down to the bottom if you are on a mobile device). You can also advance through the pages using the 'next' and 'previous' buttons at the top and bottom of each page.

Download the Uncovering Personal Assets Worksheet

This worksheet has four components:

• Compose three short stories.
• Identify skills, values, and strengths from each story.
• Discover recurring themes from your stories.
• Identify a list of non-negotiable personal factors.

To begin, you can further develop your list of three accomplishments from page 2 of the RRU Personal Assets Inventory or take some time to recall transformative or impactful professional experiences. Think of significant moments when you overcame a challenge, you felt inspired and took action on an idea, or felt proud about something you did. Choose three work and/or volunteer experiences and craft short stories to describe these memorable experiences in more detail.

There are a few reasons for developing short stories:

• There are clues in your stories that can give you insights for your career direction and goals (which will be expanded upon in the Career Planning module).
• The emotion within your stories—should you share them—can create connection and relatability with others.
• Your stories are effective tools in the networking and interview steps of your career search.

When you are ready, move on to Step 1: Compose three short stories.

1. Compose Three Short Stories

Think of significant moments in your professional life when you overcame a challenge, you felt inspired and took action on an idea, or felt proud about something you did. Choose three experiences and craft short stories to describe these memorable experiences in more detail.

Note: Your stories can be written in point form and can be kept private.
Effective stories include a beginning, middle, and end, and can be composed in about 3-4 lines.

If you completed the Exploring My Community module in the Discovering Connections unit, you were prompted to create short stories as well. Stories are multifunctional—the key is to be aware and mindful of when and how you share your stories.

Here are some prompting questions to assist the story development process (Click on the '+' to read the prompts):

Compose Three Short Stories

Now, capture your three short stories or significant professional work and/or volunteer experiences on the downloadable worksheet, in a journal, or using your preferred process (e.g., an audio recording).

Add a title and/or keyword that helps you remember each story. Once you've written your three stories, continue on to the next step: Identify skills, Values, and Strengths.

2. Identify Skills, Values, and Strengths

Before you proceed, here are a couple of terms for reference:

Skills
“... are abilities and aptitudes…[that] can be learnt or developed.” - CERIC Glossary of Career Development

Values
“...are a broad range of beliefs or principles... They are fundamental beliefs that drive the decision-making process and are key when making a choice about careers. For example some people value job security, structure, and a regular schedule. Others value independence. Work values, such as helping society, influencing people, and working alone are essential to consider in career planning. When expressed in the work setting, work takes on purpose and meaning.” - CERIC Glossary of Career Development

Once you have drafted a few short stories:

Starting with one story, identify all of the skills and values that you demonstrated in that story into the allotted space in the worksheet.

Then identify the strengths you exemplified in the story and write them in the allotted space on the worksheet, too! (This process is to assist you with deconstructing and organizing your assets).

• Follow the same steps for your second and third stories. Take particular note of the skills you enjoyed and any emerging patterns (clues for your career planning).

Remember to use the Drag and Drop activities for all three of your stories!

Skills: Drag and Drop

Starting with one story, drag and drop the skills that you demonstrated in that story into the allotted space in the worksheet. Click and hold on any of the words on the right, and drag them into the box.

• Once you are satisfied with the skills you have chosen below, copy them to the worksheet or your journal for safekeeping.

• There are additional skills listed in the websites below for your reference.
  

Remember to use the above Drag and Drop activity for all three of your stories!

Values: Drag and Drop

Starting with one story, drag and drop the values that you demonstrated in that story into the allotted space in the worksheet. Click and hold on any of the words on the right, and drag them into the box.

• Once you are satisfied with the values you have chosen below, copy them to the worksheet or your journal for safekeeping.
• Don't forget to also identify the strengths you exemplified in the story and write them in the allotted space on the worksheet, too!

Remember to use the above Drag and Drop activity for all three of your stories!

3. Discover Recurring Themes

On your worksheet, identify and circle or highlight the skills, values, and strengths that recur in the stories. Make note of these themes in the space provided.

These common themes are highly significant! They illustrate how you function in the world, what is important to you, and what you enjoy doing. Your themes are guiding your for your vision and next steps for your career! 

4. Identify a List of Non-negotiable Personal Factors

Tip: Click exit book below to go back to the main page, or take this shortcut to move directly to the module summary.